Support for A&E petition grows daily

THE Reporter Series campaign to keep a full A&E department in North Kirklees is going from strength to strength.

In less than two months, our petition to protect the 24/7 consultant-led service at Dewsbury and District Hospital has been signed by almost 7,000 people.

Businesses, community groups and individuals have given us their support by helping to collect more than 4,700 signatures so far in towns and villages across the district.

And a further 2,130 people have backed our Don’t let A&E be a casualty campaign by signing the petition online.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, which runs Dewsbury hospital, is looking at potential changes to several services across its sites.

It has drawn up two options for the future of services, including emergency services and maternity services.

Under the first option, the hospital would keep a full A&E department capable of handling more serious cases.

The second option would see the service downgraded to become an urgent care centre for minor illnesses and injuries, with the most serious cases dealt with at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield or elsewhere.

Both options would see Dewsbury lose its children’s inpatient service, consultant-led maternity service and special care baby unit. There would also be some changes to the type of elective surgery offered and the medical wards.

The Trust plans to hold a formal consultation on a preferred option early next year.

Next week: Mid Yorkshire boss Stephen Eames answers your questions about the proposals, the Trust’s finances and the future of Dewsbury and District hospital.